AmiciMusic is a chamber music organization based in Asheville, NC and Baltimore, MD, dedicated to performing the highest quality chamber music in intimate venues and non-traditional spaces. We are committed to breaking down barriers between performers and audiences by setting up a more relaxed and informal atmosphere at concerts and through informative talks about each composer’s life before each piece is played.

Daniel Weiser, Piano

Daniel Weiser, piano, has a Doctorate in Piano/Chamber Music from the Peabody Conservatory, where he studied with Samuel Sanders and Robert MacDonald and won the Richard Franko Goldman prize for outstanding contribution to musical and education life. He has performed on many great stages, including the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, the National Gallery of Art in D.C., and on the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series in Chicago. He has also concertized around the world, including Israel, Thailand, Holland, and France and was the 1996 U.S. Artistic Ambassador Abroad, for which he performed on an eleven-country tour of the Middle East and Asia. He has been on the music faculty of Dartmouth College and the prestigious St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH.

Besides founding AmiciMusic, he co-founded and still serves as Artistic Director for Classicopia, a similar type of chamber music organization based in New Hampshire. He was also a founding member of the Adirondack Ensemble, which won a Chamber Music America award for inventive programming and outreach. He has participated in the New Hampshire Music Festival, Musicorda, and the Apple Hill Chamber Music Festival and has been the Music Director of the Da Corneta Opera Ensemble, the Opera North Young Artist program, and Opera New England. A phi beta kappa graduate of Columbia University with a degree in American History, he also spent a year at Harvard Law School and was a classmate of President Obama. A native of Buffalo, NY, he currently lives in Baltimore, MD with his wife, Dr. Kisha Weiser and their eleven-year old twin daughters, Emma and Sophie.

AmiciMusic Performers

Aaron Chen is a junior at Christ School and has been studying cello with his instructor, Frances Duff for 11 years. He has received several titles such as 1st place in the Asheville Concerto Competition and is the leader of the Asheville Young Musicians Club. Aaron was a member of the National Youth Orchestra 2 […]

A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Aaron Lipsky started playing clarinet at age 11 in his 6th grade band program. He started taking lessons in 7th grade with Steve Loew, a former member of the U.S. Marine Band. Aaron is a three-time member of the NC All-State Honors Band and a sophomore at A.C. Reynolds […]

Alex Watson is a sacred, jazz, and classical piano performer and recording artist. His formal music education includes graduating from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Music Degree, international chamber music study in Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands, as well as a top graduating member of the United States Armed Forces School of Music […]

Alicia Chapman, oboe, joined the Appalachian State applied music faculty as instructor of oboe in January 2001. She is principal oboist with the Harrisburg (PA) and Asheville symphonies and plays English horn with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra. She has also served as principal oboist of the Heritage Chamber Orchestra (SC), the Masterworks Chorus and Orchestra […]

Oboist Dr. Andrew W. Parker has performed throughout the United States in some of the country’s most prestigious concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kimmel Center, The Long Center, Texas Performing Arts Center, The Peace Center, along with many others. As an avid orchestral and chamber musician, Dr. Parker has performed with the Austin […]

Hungarian-American violist Anna Pelczer has become a sought-after guest orchestral leader both in Germany and abroad. Recent performances have been with the Beethoven Orchester Bonn, the Philharmonie Baden-Baden, the Staatsorchester Mainz, and the English National Ballet, among others. A frequent collaborator for contemporary works, she is a member of the Lucerne Festival Alumni and recently […]

Cantor Ellerin joined Baltimore Hebrew Congregation in 2018. His passion for building a vibrant Jewish community extends to his work both on and off the bimah. He can be found teaching adult and youth education programs, officiating at life cycle events, visiting homes and hospitals, and leading worship services. Cantor Ellerin was ordained at the Hebrew Union […]

Violinist BORISAS TRAUBAS is well-known in Europe as a soloist, chamber musician, and recording artist for Naxos. He has performed with renowned musicians including Yehudi Menuhin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Timofei Dokshizer, Gidon Kremer, and David Geringas while serving as principal violinist and assistant to the conductor of the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra for over forty years. He has earned a […]

Cecylia Barczyk has achieved international recognition as a complete artist, successful teacher, and great humanitarian. She has given concerts, recitals, and master classes throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America and has appeared as a soloist with prominent orchestras including those of Amman, Baltimore, Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Berlin, Bucharest, Budapest, Jakarta, Leipzig, London, Moscow, New York, […]

Bass-baritone Dan Boye has been widely featured as an operatic and musical theater performer and as an oratorio soloist. Recent roles include Sam in Trouble in Tahiti, the French General in Silent Night, Sid in La fanciulla del West, Blitch in Susannah, Don Fernando in Fidelio, Noye in Noye’s Fludde, Cavaradossi in Tosca, Baron Duphol in La Traviata, Zuniga in Carmen, Timur in Turandot and Dr. […]

Daniel Lau, piano, has performed around the world in recitals and with orchestras and has been praised for his “exemplary artistry” and “beautifully shaded playing.” A versatile pianist, violinist and conductor, Daniel has served as Music Director for performances of Manon, Amahl and the Night Visitors, The Merry Widow, and The Magic Flute, among others. […]

Originally from Mumbai, India, flutist Dilshad Posnock has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician in concerts and festivals across the United States, England, Puerto Rico and India, and has been featured on BBC TV and BBC World Service Radio. Ms. Posnock’s performance experience is wide and varied, including concerto appearances with the Bombay Chamber […]

Elise Pittenger, cello, is a proud Baltimore native. She enjoys a dynamic career as an educator, orchestral player, chamber musician, and advocate for new music. After completing doctoral work at McGill University (Canada), she moved to Brazil in 2010 to join the Philharmonic Orchestra of Minas Gerais, where she served as principal cello from 2011 […]

Elizabeth Borowsky, piano, enjoys a vibrant musical career as soloist and collaborative pianist, composer, educator, speaker, and recording artist. She has been a featured performer at distinguished venues including Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center, and has performed in over thirty countries. Borowsky has also earned a reputation as a dedicated instructor, presenting masterclasses in […]

Violinist Emmanuel Borowsky has toured 35 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. As one critic wrote: “He brought forth a celebration of fire and temperament, as well as immense sensitivity, wonderfully flowing chants and a pliant tone. He is a remarkable talent.” Mr. Borowsky has performed as soloist with orchestras across the globe […]

Dr. Eyal Bor, clarinet, is an internationally recognized clarinetist who performs as a soloist and with his musical group, the Eyal Bor trio, featuring musicians Bruce Casteel and Michael Singer. Dr. Bor performs diverse range of selections, including Hasidic, jazz klezmer, liturgical and theater music. Dr. Bor is a native born Israeli. He began studying […]

Cellist Frances Borowsky has been praised by the Heidelberg Rhein-Neckar Zeitung as “marvelously colorful, performing with deep expression and a compelling temperament,” and has performed internationally as soloist and chamber musician in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and the Penderecki European Music Centre. She has soloed with the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra, Gettysburg Chamber […]

Hobart Whitman, French horn, was born in Asheville,NC and got his BS degree in Electrical Engineering from NC State University and later received eight US Patents. He had a part in Defense Missile development in the Marshall Islands (Pacific Ocean) and the Saturn launch team at Cape Canaveral,Fla. preparing astronauts for landing on the moon. […]

Jacquelyn Culpepper (www.jacquelynculpepper.com) has shared her beautiful soprano voice with audiences across the United States, Europe, South America, Central America, the Caribbean and to countries in Asia including Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Thailand, and Brunei. Career highlights include performing more than eighty-five roles in opera and oratorio, and solo concert tours throughout the world with […]

Dr. Jamison Walker commands an impressive vocal range and an extensive repertoire. From opera and oratorio to musical theater and pops, Walker has performed in recital, opera, symphonic, and academic settings, nationally and internationally across the United States and in Europe and Asia. Mr. Walker’s voice has evolved, over the past several years, toward a […]

Janet Polk is principal bassoonist with Portland (ME) Symphony and Vermont Symphony. As a soloist, she has performed with the orchestras of Portland, Vermont, Indian Hill, Dartmouth College and the University of New Hampshire and with the Furman University Concert Band. Chamber music is a vital part of her musical life and with the trio, […]

Jason Buckwalter, baritone, is known for his “super-sized characters” (The Sybaritic Singer) and “theatrical fire.” (Baltimore City Paper) A native of Landenberg, Pennsylvania, Jason now lives in Baltimore and performs throughout Maryland, Virginia, DC, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Equally comfortable in opera, musical theater, oratorio, and song repertoire, he has performed with a wide variety of companies including […]

Jason DeCristofaro is a music educator, performer, and composer based in Asheville, NC. He is adjunct faculty at Warren Wilson College (where he directs the Jazz Ensemble and teaches Jazz Improvisation, Applied Percussion, and Applied Piano), A-B Technical Community College (where he teaches Music Theory, Jazz History and Music Appreciation), and Isothermal Community College, where […]

Violinist Jason Posnock enjoys a versatile musical career both in the United States and internationally. He has performed regularly in such prominent American ensembles as the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and has accompanied them on tours to Europe, South America, the Far East and New York’s Carnegie Hall. Mr. Posnock is also […]

Mezzo-soprano Jenni Bank was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and grew up in Binghamton, New York. Ms. Bank performed the role of The Duchess in The American Premier of Unsuk Chin and David Henry Hwang’s Alice in Wonderland with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for which Opera News called her performance “a standout”, proclaiming she […]

Hailed by Opera News as “the very picture of youthful optimism and potential,” John Kaneklides is quickly establishing himself as a celebrated tenor of his time. After being named a finalist in the Nico Castel International Master Singer Competition in 2011, Kaneklides was personally championed by the prolific diction coach and opera translator – a […]

Jonathan Ross received his BM in Vocal performance from James Madison University and his MM in Opera Performance from Binghamton University. As a resident artist with the Tri-Cities Opera he performed the roles of Guglielmo (Cosi Fan Tutte), Papageno (The Magic Flute), The Wolf/Woodsman (Little Red Riding Hood), Melchoir (Amahl and the Night Visitors). With […]

Kimberly Christie, soprano, has been praised by the Washington Post for her “shining vocal abilities” and is as comfortable singing opera as oratorio and musical theater repertoire. She most recently sang soprano soloist for Orff’s Carmina Burana with Columbia ProCantare and Siebel in Gounod’s Faust with Summer Garden Opera. She performs mostly in the greater Baltimore area with companies […]

Kyle Engler, mezzo-soprano, has been praised for her extreme versatility in both operatic and chamber music. The Baltimore Sun has called her “. . . a virtuoso of a high order” and “dramatic and visceral.” Engler is a regular performer with the Washington Opera and has participated in the world premieres of several new operas. […]

Newly appointed Assistant Principal Cellist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Lachezar Kostov has appeared as a soloist in some of the world’s leading concert venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Gewandhaus in Leipzig, and Oji Hall in Tokyo. He was the National Winner at the 2006 MTNA Young Artists […]

Lawrence Stomberg, cello, has been hailed for his “style and elegance” and “lyrical expressiveness.” He enjoys a wide-ranging career as soloist, chamber musician and pedagogue. He currently serves as cellist of the acclaimed Serafin String Quartet and has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, South America, and China. Stomberg served on the faculties at Truman State […]

Lea Kibler, flutist, has been hailed by critics as “bewitching and unforgettable” and a “top drawer flutist”. She was a member of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra and the Florida Grand Opera orchestra and has toured as Principal Flutist of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra. She has appeared at the Spoleto Festival, the American Dance Festival, […]

Leonard Eli Lopatin, a native of New York City, studied flute performance with Harold Bennett at the Manhattan School of Music and then with Arthur Lora at the Juilliard School. After earning his Bachelor of Music degree from Juilliard in 1976, he was appointed to the position of third flute and piccolo in the Metropolitan […]

Margaret Helfer Herlehy, oboe, received her formal musical training at the University of Michigan and Sarah Lawrence College where she remained as Artist in Residence for a 5 year tenure. On relocating to New England, she joined the faculties of Phillips Exeter Academy and later, the University of New Hampshire and enjoys working as a […]

Orlando Haddad and Patricia King formed Minas in 1978 at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. They proceeded to play all over the eastern United States before moving to Brazil, where they lived, entertained and traveled, absorbing the essence of Brazilian culture. In 1984 Orlando and Patricia returned to the United States […]

Roseminna McLeod Watson, violin, began playing the instrument at the age of three and she trained early at the New England Conservatory Prep Department. After earning a B.A. in Graphic Design from Yale University in 2005, Roseminna continued her musical studies at Stony Brook University where she completed a Masters in Violin Performance while studying […]

Simone Vigilante is lauded as a “beautiful dramatic soprano capable of some awesome fireworks” (Asheville Citizen-Times). She has appeared in recitals and competitions, with opera companies and orchestras, throughout the United States, France, Spain, Austria and Italy. Recent highlights include a lecture-recital at the NC Museum of Art where Classical Voice of North Carolina noted […]

Steve Loew, clarinet, is a former member of the U.S. Marine Band and a member of the White House Orchestra who has performed for President’s Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush Senior. A graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, Mr. Loew has also played with the New York Philarmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra, and has […]

Steve Loew, clarinet, is a former member of the US Marine Band and a member of the White House Orchestra who has performed for Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush Senior. A graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, Mr. Loew has also played with the New York Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra, and has […]

The Asheville Clarinet Quartet is an eclectic group of clarinetists with diverse and extensive musical backgrounds. All residents of Asheville, NC, they provide yet another unique aspect to its thriving local music scene. In addition to performing a wide range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, klezmer, and contemporary, they are also known for their […]

Award winning twin brothers Joseph and John DeMasi are contemporary folk singers, songwriters and recording artists whose songs are imbued with their Unitarian Universalist beliefs of love, inclusion, tolerance, understanding and worth and dignity for all. With Joseph on guitar and John on guitar and fiddle, the DeMasi Brothers bring a unique musical experience full […]

The Weiser/Liston-Kraft Piano Duo has been called “a force of pianistic energy” who play with “a seamless and tightly knit unity,” and who “absolutely smoke the 88 keys.” They have been bringing their captivating, virtuosic, and high energy performances to audiences across the U.S. for over ten years. They bring a flair for the dramatic […]

Since his solo debut with the legendary Philadelphia Orchestra at age nine, violinist Timothy Schwarz has been praised for his “energetic performances” (Rome News) and “technique beyond reproach” (Buffalo Times). Schwarz has recorded solo and chamber music CD’s for Naxos, EMI, Marquis Classics, and Centaur Records. The American Record Guide praised his 2006 solo CD as “good […]

Will Peebles is Professor of Bassoon at Western Carolina University, where he also teaches music theory and world music. He served as Director of the School of Music from 2005-2014, and established the Low Tech (gamelan) ensemble in 1999. Will earned his masters and doctoral degrees at Michigan State University, where he studied with Edgar […]

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